Toxic Mattress Components - Research Data Sheet
Chemicals in Mattresses
Health agencies deem exposure to some of the chemicals found in mattresses safe
in small quantities. These toxins can now be found in nearly all common household
products; from carpets to microwaves, couches, mattresses and baby cribs to
children's clothing. Many of these toxins accumulate in the body
and are never expelled. The body regenerates and recharges itself during sleep; prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals when your body is in this vulnerable state should not be taken lightly.
Components Found in Mattresses
= toxic chemical
= non-toxic chemical
= natural| Adhesives (Solvent Based) |
Urethane | Synthetic Latex | Latex | Essentia Natural Material | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-Aminobiphenyl | ![]() | ||||
| 4-trans-pentyl-cyclohexyl | ![]() |
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| 1,1,1, 2-Tetrachloroethane | ![]() |
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| 2-chloro-1,3-butadiene | ![]() |
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| acetone | ![]() |
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| Acrylate resins | ![]() |
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| Asbestos Fluorinated polymers | ![]() |
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| Azoxylbenzene | ![]() |
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| benzonitrile | ![]() |
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| Beryllium and Compounds | ![]() |
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| Carbon tetrachloride | ![]() |
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| Cellulose nitrate plastic polymers | ![]() |
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| Chlorofluorocarbons | ![]() |
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| Chloroform | ![]() |
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| Chromium and compounds | ![]() |
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| Cobalt and compounds | ![]() |
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| Cone essence | ![]() |
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| Cynanide | ![]() |
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| Dimethylacetamide | ![]() |
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| Dimethylformamide | ![]() |
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| Dioxins and furans | ![]() |
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| diphenyl diisocyanate | ![]() |
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| Emulsion of Hevea brasiliensis milk in water | ![]() |
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| Epichlorohydrin | ![]() |
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| Fats | ![]() |
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| Glycol ethers | ![]() |
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| Halogenated benzenes | ![]() |
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| Halogenated napthalenes | ![]() |
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| Halogenated triphenyls | ![]() |
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| Halons | ![]() |
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| Haologenated idphenyl ethers | ![]() |
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| Hevea brasiliensis milk | ![]() |
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| Hexachlorobutadiene | ![]() |
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| Hydrolyzed corn | ![]() |
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| Indium | ![]() |
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| Lead carbonate | ![]() |
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| Lead hydrocarbonate | ![]() |
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| Lead sulfate | ![]() |
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| Magnesium | ![]() |
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| metallic oxides | ![]() |
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| Methyl benzene (toluene) | ![]() |
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| Methylene dianiline | ![]() |
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| Molybdenum | ![]() |
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| Organo-tin compounds | ![]() |
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| Perfluorocarbons Benzene | ![]() |
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| Phenol-melamine resins | ![]() |
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| Phenol-urea | ![]() |
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| Phenylcyclohexane Benzidine | ![]() |
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| Polychlorinated phenols | ![]() |
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| Polyvinyl acetate | ![]() |
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| Rhenium | ![]() |
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| Rubidium | ![]() |
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| Samarium | ![]() |
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| Strontium | ![]() |
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| sulfur | ![]() |
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| Tellerium | ![]() |
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| Thallium and compounds | ![]() |
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| toluene diisocyanate | ![]() |
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| toluene–neoprene | ![]() |
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| Vinilideine chloride | ![]() |
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| Vinyl acetate | ![]() |
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| Water | ![]() |
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| Waxes styrene-butadiene copolymer | ![]() |
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About the Application of Glues in Mattresses
Mattress manufacturers use glues to bond the inner layers of
mattresses together as well as to bond the fabric cover to the core. Adhesives
can be rolled to bond each layer or can be diluted in water and sprayed over
each surface to be bonded. This second application method allows manufacturers
to call their glue a "water based adhesive". A water based adhesive is a simple process whereby water is mixed in with a solvent based adhesive to facilitate spraying the glue over each mattress surface. When the glue dries, all water molecules in the adhesive evaporate and only the adhesive is left behind.
The long-term health effects that may occur after prolonged exposure to Volatile Organic Content (VOC) found in Adhesive/Glue solvents include cancers, damage to the heart, liver, central nervous system and kidneys.
Components used for the production of polyurethane memory foams
Components researched: isocynates; methylene chloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane;
acetone; benzene; ethyleneoxide; formaldehyde
Biological Monitoring - Is memory foam safe?
Clinical evaluations conducted by Duke University; Source ATSDR - Public health advisory Public Health Implications: The exact amount of TDI required to cause adverse health effects is unknown. People have become sensitized after being exposed to as little as 20 parts per billion (ppb). After sensitization there is no amount of TDI that one may be exposed to safely. Studies have shown that in sensitized individuals, asthmatic attacks can occur after exposed to TDI air concentrations as low as 0.1 ppb.
Testing Results: Of 113 participants tested, 10 participant (9%) developed antibodies.
Perfumes and Deodorizers
Certain imported polyurethane memory foam products have industrial perfumes to mask the chemical odour that exists in their products.Chemicals Found in Air Fresheners:
o Tributyltin maleate (carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity etc)
o Bonded quatermary ammonium chloride compounds
o Decamethcyclopentasiloxane
o Phenolics (wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenol)
o Ozone
o Paradichlorobenzene (anticipated to be a carcinogen)
o Fragrances
Super 6.25 Essentia Material
All our mattresses and their components are
manufactured in Canada by Essentia Groupe Inc.| Essentia Natural Material |
LATEX SAMPLE Talalay |
LATEX SAMPLE Dunlop |
TP Standard Memory Foam |
Pocket Coils |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conditioning Loss (mm) | 2.2 |
5.2 |
2.9 |
2.5 |
n/a |
| Height Loss (mm) | 3.1 |
3.6 |
3.3 |
3.3 |
n/a |
| Firmness Rating Change | 0.32 |
1.82 |
0.7 |
0.92 |
n/a |
| Hardness Change (%) | 7% |
9.5% |
7% |
8% |
n/a |
| n/a = Does not pass minimum criteria for Standards |
The Essentia Way
Our sleep product manufacturing process:
- Forced Expansion Molding
- Patented Adhesive Free Process
- Individually Moulded Process
Natural Content
Water, Latex, Cone Essence, Green Tea Essence, Jasmine Essence, Plant solid extracts. Certain components may be excluded, substituted and/or concentration varied based on required performance.
Quality & Performance
- Pressure 12.4 mmHg
- ILD 14 (Indentation Load deflection)
- Density Super 6.25lbs
Health & Sanitary Benefits
- Hypo-Allergenic
- Anti-Bacterial
- Dust-Mite and Bed Bug Deterrent
- Toxic emission free
- Adhesive free
- Full pressure distribution
- Superior body support
See all our mattresses.
For articles written about chemicals in mattresses visit:
www.enn.com/pollution/article/33754
Sources
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)- Water based Adhesives Technology Review
- Aerias - Air Quality Sciences
References
1. Tinnerberg H, Dalene M, Scarping G, Air and biological monitoring of toluene
diisocyanate in a flexiblefoam plant. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 58:229-235 (1997)
2. Bernstein JA. Overview of diisocyanate occupational asthma. Toxicoligy 111:181-189 (1996)
3. Wegman D, Pagnatto L, Fine L, Peters J, A dose - responsive relationship in TDI workers. J Occup
Med 16:258-260 (1974)
4. Bauer X, Merek W, Ammon J, Czuppon A, Marczynski B, Raulf-Heimsoth M, Roemmelt H, Fruhmann
G. Respiratory and other hazards of isocynates. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 66:141:152 (1994)
5. California Environmental Protection Agency. Determination of Formaldehyde and Toluene Diisocyanate
Emmissions from Indoor Residential Sources. Contract no. 93-315 Columbus, OH:Battelle, 1996.
6. ACGIH. Documentation of the Threshold limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices, 5th ed.
Cincinati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 1986.
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